Apparatus for the manufacture of seamless steel tubes



july 29. 1924.

Y J. .1. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEh TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1919 ll Sheets-Sheet 1 July 29. 1924. 1,503,158

J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF sEAMLBss STEEL TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1919 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 mm I =8 nu ll TLUic EM VEAE a. I Q; NS N E mww 3 b N NMND ham 5 m 4 M k Nw w W N 5% m3 3 m: m M w mw W :l|| WW I 3 R P .VQNNBN BM NM? v V ww hw N R W m k a m a j 8 5 3 0 l .L A T E s m K R A H I lw 4 2 9 9 2 v. l u JJ APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMIJESS STEEL TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1919 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 July 29. 1924. 1,503,158

J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEIJ TUBES 1919 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

July 29. 1924.

J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEL TUBES 1 I Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 2, 1919 W: a a t M. M

July 29. 1924.

J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEb TUBES 11' Sheets-Shet 7 Filed Dec. 2, 1919 kmxl @NNMN July 29 1924. 1,503,158

- J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE} MANUFACTURE OF smmwss STEEL TUBES ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec.

July 29. 1924.

J. J. HARKINS ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEL- TUBES m 1 llprillll llllllllllllllllllllllllllHlll nmmi II Filed Dec. 2,

J. J. HARKINS ET A APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAMLESS STEEL TUBES Filed Dec. 2, 1919 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 '25 3 I 3V7 I FIG.45

Patented July 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES 'JAMEs J. mxrivs, or PITTSBURGH, AND

vAmA, ASSIGNORS ORMAN.

o'r'ro 1'. own, or mximsron r, PENNSYL OlF FOUR-FIFTHS TO SAID HARKINS AND ONE-FTFTH TO SAID API PARA'IUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SEAM LESS STEEL TUBES.

Application filed December To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J AMES J. HARKINS and O'rro F. ORMAN, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of Pitts- 5 burgh and McKeesport, in the county of Altable, they are moved transversely to one legheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in an Apparatus for the Manufacture of Seamless Steel Tubes, of .which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of seamless steel tubes by means of rolls, tables, and other appurtenances, and is called a seamless steel, tube rolling mill. It is designed primarily to increase the roduction, and incidentally to reduce loss y oxidation and scrap.

In the manufacture of seamless tubing, an ingot is pierced to form a longitu inal hole therethrough in what is known as a piercing mill. pierced, is termed a shell, and is subjected to the action of a pair of rolls and a plug, by means of which the'shell is eventually drawn out into a tube.

According to the operation of mills now generally in use for the production of seamless tubing, the ingots are moved longitudinally from the piercing mill toia transfer table. After being run out bn the transfer side until they are positioned in front of a two high rolling mill having a single groove pipe. The shell is then fed longitudinally through the rolls andover an expanding plug. After the full length of the shell has been passed through the rolls once, the rolls are s read apart, and the ingot or tube passer back through them in the reverse direction. During the reverse passing of the shell, the spaced apart rolls do not engage it to roll it out. After the entire shell has been thus passed reversely through the rolls, the rolls are closed and the shell is given a second pass. This operation of passing and re-passing the shell through th rolls is carried out several times until the tube has been drawn to the desired gauge and finish, after which another ingot is operated upon in a similar manner.

The width of the floor space required for such mill has been found to be quite large,

and considerable time and labor is lost in The ingot, after being formed therein for drawing out the 2, 1919. Serial No. 341,931.

the passing and re-passing of the tubes through the mill. Furthermore, ithas been found that the plug used for expanding the tube after the tube passes through the rolls (to expand the tube sufiiciently to enable the groove of the rolls to engage the tube on the next pass) often ruptures the metal, necessitating that the entire shell or tube be scrapped. In a mill of this type, the shell also loses most of its heat before it is completely rolled, and the last steps have to be performed when the metal is relatively cold,

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the usual transfer table and the necessity for re-passing the tube through the rolls by having a series of two or more pairs of rolls arranged in tandem, through which the ingot is successively passed.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate the use of a plug for expanding the tube after a pass through the rolls by working the metal down from the outside, such reduction from the outside being termed a breaking down process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mill in which tubes of various diameters may be rolled without inserting' thrust bearingadapted to rotatably clamp a plug bar which extends the length of the receiving table and the end of which has a plug which assists in the operation of the piercing mill. Means are provided for clamping the plug end of the bar when the clamps at the thrust bearing end of the plug are released to permit the tube to pass,

through the thrust bearing on to a series of troughing rolls, or on to a rack provided at one side of the troughing' rolls, the troughing table. At the end of the receiving table most remote from the piercing mill is. a

ing rolls and rack being. transversely movable.

A pair of two high tube drawing rolls having complementary grooves of graduated sizes therein is arranged at the end of the troughing rolls and rack, the arrange ment being such that by moving the trou h rolls and rack transversely, the tube may e fed through any desired pair of grooves 1n the rolls, depending on the gauge of the tube it is desired to produce. Arranged behind thefirst pair of rolls is a second receiving table which is also movable transversely in order to selectively receive the tube from the groove in the first pa1r of rolls, and feed it' into the proper grooves of the next pair of rolls which is positioned immediately behind this second receiving table.

Means which we term an edging machine is provided on this table for rotating the tube a quarter turn before it is fed through the second set of rolls. This table is also provided with a plug bar clamp for supporting one end of the plug bar. There may be any desired number of such tables arranged in longitudinal alinement and having drawing rolls placed between them. After passing throug the last pair of drawing rolls, the tube passes on to a plug bar supported over a run-out table. This table is provided with means for withdrawing the plugbar from the tube, and with automatic means for moving the tube to one side afte; the plug bar has been so withdrawn.

"While the foregoing describes briefly the arrangement of parts which we use in connection with our invention, the construe tion and operation may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a mill involving our invention, showing the apparatus between the piercing mill (not shown) and the second set of drawing rolls;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus from the second pair of drawing rolls to the discharging means or run-out table, and constitutes a continuation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan of the apparatus between lines 1--1 and 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section along the center of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view on a larger scale of the apparatus between lines 2-j-2 and 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 shows a transverse section on line 7'.-7' of Fig. 7

Fig. 8 shows partly in section and partly in elevation a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view on a larger scale of the apparatus between lines 3-3 and 44 of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section on line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing on a larger scale a portion of a mechanism employed for supporting the plug bar shown in section in Fig. 10;

Fig. 11 shows a plan view on a larger scale of the discharging apparatus or runout table between lines 55 and 66 of Fi s. 2 and 4;

ig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section along line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing in detail a pusher mechanism for transferring shells frplm the receiving rack to the feed trough ros;

F'g. 14 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a side view thereof.

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show details of the mechanism for moving the feed tables transversely and vertically;

Fig. 19 shows in plan view one of the supports for the receiving trough for receiving the shells from a piercing mill;

Fig. 20 is a plan View of the receiving trough; and

Fig. 21 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the emergency pusher mechanism for positively pushing the shells from the trough shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 shows an end view of the thrust bearing for supporting a plug bar that extends to the piercing mill;

Fig. 25 .is a transverse section on line 25-25 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 26 is a corresponding tion on line 26-26 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 27 is a similar section on line 2727 transverse sec- ,of Fig. 5;

Fig. 28 is a similar transverse section on line 28-28 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 29 is a, similar transverse section on line 29-29 of Fig. 5 showing the construction of the jaws for supporting the plug bar when the thrust hearing has been unclamped therefrom to permit the shell to be pasfied on to the feed trough or receiving rac Fig. 30 is an end elevation of the receiving table;

Fig. 31 is a horizontal section on .line 3131 of Fig. 24, but on a large scale;

Figs. 32 and 33 are details of the thrust bearing mechanism;

Fig. 34 shows a plan view of one of the clamping jaws employed in the mechanism shown in Fig. 29; 7

Figs. 35 and 36 are details of the operating handle of the edging machine;

Fig. 37 is a transverse section on line 37--37 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 38 is a similar section on line 3838 of Fig. 10, showing an end view of the plug bar clamp Fig. 39 shows in detail the shell gripping mechanism employed in the edging machine shown in Fig. 37 v i Fig. 40 shows in detail the plug bar clamp used in the apparatus shown in Fig. 38.

Figs. 41 and 42 show details of the edging machine;

Fig. 43 shows in detail an automatic plug bar holder which may be raised and lowered when it isdesired to supply a new ball or plug to one of the plug bars;

Fig. 44 is a vertical section of the apparatus shownin Fig. 39;

' Fig. 45 is a transverse sectlon on line 45-45 of Fig. 11;

Fig..46 is a' transverse section on line 46-46 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 47 is a transverse section on l 1ne 47-47 of Fig. 11, showing the mechanism for raising the hoods or covers on the runout table;

Figs. 48 and 49 show a side and an end view respectively of a cross head used for reciprocating the plug bar on the run-out 1 table; and

Fig. 50 shows the position of a plug between the rolls for effecting a breaking down process of tube rolling.

In the drawings in which the p1erc1ng mill is not shown, this being of any known or preferred form, A is the receivmg table, B the thrust bearing, C the transversely movable trough rolls and receiving rack, D the first pair of rolls, E the second receiving table, F the second pair of rolls, G the third receiving table similar in all respects to E, and of which-there may be any desired number, arranged alternately with drawing rolls, H is the last pair of drawing rolls in the train, and I is the run-outtable.

.The first receiving table A is shown assembled, together with thrust bearingv D in Figs. 5 and 6, and its detail construction is shown in Figs. 19, 20. 21, 22, 2a, 25, 26, 27, 28 29, 30 and 34. Referring particularly to Fig. 30, which shows that endof the table adjacent the piercing mill, 1 is a supporting frame having horizontal flanges 2 at the base thereof and which are bolted to base 17. The top of support 1 is recessed as shown (see detail Fig. 19) to receive corresponding projections 1 on the vertical] adjustable trough support 3 having a shaped depression in which is secured one end of the trough 15. Underneath the cross projections are a pair of bolts 3' for efthe top of the member 3 is a substantially,

semi-circular hood or cover 4.

Slidably guided on the base 17 is a frame 5 (see igs. 6 and 29). The central portion of the top of the frame 5 is provided with a longitudinal V-shaped depression 5 (see Fig. 29) which forms a slidable support for the trough 15. At each side of this longitudinal groove and slideable in suitable guideways on the top of frame 5 are oppositely movable jaw bars 14 having jgw portions 14 (see Figs. 29 and 34).

olted to a depending side 5" of the frame 5 is a bracket 10" on which is mounted a cylinder 10 having a piston rod 10 reciprocable therein. This piston rod 10' is pivotally connected to a lever 11 carried on a rock shaft 12 journalled in the frame 5, which shaft has its opposite ends provided with bell cranks 13. The upright arms of the bell cranks 13 are pivotally connected to the ends of one of the slidable jaws 14 while the horizontal arms connect at 13 to similar bell cranks 13 on a rock shaft 12. The vertical arms of these cranks 13 are similarly connected to theends of the other jaw bar 14. It will be obvious that upon pressure being communicated to the cylinder 10, the jaws 14 will be reciprocated toward and from each other. ,This is for a .rod 22 for reciprocation therewith (see Figs.

6 and 28). At 19 is a. cover slidable along the trough 15, this cover having laterally extending lugs 19 projecting at each end thereof. The arms 20 of the fork 20 are movable between the lugsLl/Vhen' the element 20 is reciprocated, the forked arms can move the distance between the lugs 19 before they move the cover, hence the cover is only moved through a fraction of the distance of movement of the forked arms.-

Arched over the cylinder 18 and secured to the base 17 is a vertical support 21 having a transverse channel across the top thereof in which operate sliding wedges 23 and 24 (see Fig. 27). On these wedges rests a supporting block 25 to which is secured the other end of the trough guide 15. To

are other Wedges 23 and 24 on which rest other supporting blocks 33 and 35 having lateral shelf supporting extensions 33' and respectively, for the shelf 26.

To the block 33 are secured frame members 30 and 32 (see Fig. 20), the frame members 32 also 'being supported by block 35.

and an intermediate member 34. On the tops of the members 33, 34 and 35, are secured sections of a trough, such as 36, 37 and 38, respectively. Between the sections of trough are other guide or feed rollers 39. All of the rollers 39 are driven in unison by gearing 27 from the line shaft 27. The

line shaft, in turn, is driven by a motor 42 other to raise and lower the trough'and rolls.

The motor 42, being supported on trunnions, can be maintained in proper driving relation to the gearing which drives shaft 27 when the shaft 27 is raised and lowered with the shaft 26. This raising and lowering of the trough and rolls accommodates tubes of different sizes. I

Supported above the feed and guide rolls and the trough comprising the receiving table, on standards 43 and brace members 43 (see Figs. 6, 22 and 23), is a pusher frame 95 comprising longitudinally spaced apart angle bars 54 having racks 49 arranged therealong. Suspended from the frame is a cover 44 having a slot extending the length thereof along its top. A carriage or trolley 92 is supported on the angle bars 54', the trolley comprising a frame 47, driving pinions 49 on a shaft 48 in the frame, guide rollers 48 on shaft 48, and other guide rollers 52 on studs 53, the guide rollers 52 engaging the under side of the angle bars to hold the carriage on the tracks.

A reversible motor with gearingv is provided on the trolley for driving the pinions.

49 to move the carriage along the track. A transverse bar 50 extends across the carriage near the top thereof. Pivotally susended from a cross shaft in the carriage IS a pusher lever 51. By means of this arrangement, the bar 50 acts as a stop to limit the swing of the push lever in one direction so that, upon the carriage being moved in the direction of travel of the shells from the piercing mills, it will engage the rear end of such shells to push them. By reason of the lever being capable of swinging in the opposite direction, the forward ends of the shells will merely ride under the lever, and it therefore will not form any obstruction to the advance of the shells.

At the end of the receiving table A. and sup orted on the base 31 is the thrust bearing for rotatably holding the ball or plug bar, and which is so constructed as to permit the bar to be released to permit of the shell being passed longitudinally off the bar at the end opposite the plug or ball. The thrust bearing, indicated generally by the reference numeral 93 (see Figs. 5, 6 and 24), is supported on a stand having a cap 66 at the top thereof, which ca is preferably formed with-an oil box 66. hreaded within the interior of the round opening formed by the top of support 65 and the cap 66 (see Figs. 6 and 24) is an adjusting sleeve having. its rear end provided with a hand wheel. The interior of the adjusting sleeve 75 is provided with annular grooves and projections 63 in the grooves of which rotatably fit similar projections on the exterior of a slip-gear-sleeve 60 (see Fig. 6). The outer end of the gear-sleeve 60 is flanged, and surrounding the periphery of this flange is an annular toothed slip-ring 60 having pockets 59 therein. Slidably supported by the sleeve 60 are clamping jaws 58 adapted to be actuated by pivoted levers 59 having projecting ends 59 which extend into the pockets 59". By rotation of the slip gear ring 60 while the sleeve 60' is stationary, the jaws may be opened or closed, depending on the direction of rotation.

For permitting the ring to rotate with the sleeve or independently thereof, the apparatus shown particularly in Figs- 24 and 31 has been devised. This apparatus comprises a fluid pressure cylinder or jack 68 having a reciprocable piston rod 71, the outer end of which is bifurcated, as shown in Fig. 31. Across the two arms of the bifurcated end of this rod is a stationary non-rotatable hollow shaft 70. J ournalled about the shaft is a pinion 62. Slidable in the hollow shaft 70 are opposed pins 72 and 73, and radially disposed with the shaft are pins 77. Extending from the top of the cylinder 68 is a frame member 74 having downwardly turnedv flanges, to which are secured grooved blocks having oppositely inclined surfaces therein. Assumingthe parts to be in the extended position shown in Fig. 24, the pinion 62 engaging slip gear ring 60 will rotate freely upon the hollow shaft when the slip ring rotates. Should pressure be applied to cylinder 68 to retract the piston rod 71, pin 72 would be forced inwardly, projecting radial pins 77 into an eccentric recess in the pinion 62, looking the pinion from rotation. Further transverse movement of the pinion 62 to retracted positionturns the slip ring 60 to spread the jaws 58. Upon the piston rod being extended, the action is the converse, pin 73 serving to move in 72 outwardly to permit the radial pins 7 towithdraw.

The plug bar is indicated at 61. and exthe shell through any one of the tends from the thrust bearing to a point beyond the end of the receiving table and adjacent the piercing mill.

Thus far, the operation of the machine is as follows. The ingot, passing through the rollers of the piercing mill, is rotated and elongated.- Passing over the ball on-the bar 61, the ingot is pierced to form the shell. During the time the metal is being pierced, the thrust bearing at B allows the plug and bar 61 to rotate, at the same time that it assumes the end thrust for the plug bar. With the aid of the troughed feed rollers 39, the shell is advanced until its completed length is on the plug bar and its end adjacent the thrust bearing. By means of cylinder 10, the clamp bars 1.4 are actuated to bring the clamping members 14 into position to engage the ball end of the plug bar. Jaws 58 of the thrust hearing are then opened in the manner hereinbefore described, the ring 60 being rotated while the sleeve 60 is held against rotation.

When the jaws 58 are spread, the shell, with the aid of the power driven rollers 39, and, if necessary, pusher lever 510f the trolley 92, will be pushed through the hollow end of the thrust bearing onto the apparatus hereinafter described. At the same time, piston 18 may be actuated to move the sliding frame 5 in the direction of the thrust bearing, withdrawing the ball on the end of the plug bar 61 from the piercing mill.

Upon a new plug being applied to bar 61,

cylinder 18 is then actuated to move the table 5 into extended position, clamps 58 in the thrust bearin are closed on the end thereof, and the aws 14 are retracted to. release the ball end of the plug bar.

The apparatus is then in position to receive the next shell from the piercing mill.

After passing from the receivin table through the thrust bearin the she 'must next be passed onto a suita le means for receiving the shell and feeding it to the rolls.

In practice, it is contemplated that the rolls beprovided with a series of graduated complementary grooves adjacent each other across the rolls, for the production of different gauge tubes. The first groove of this series is preferably in line with the thrust bearing and consequently it would be comparativel simple to devise a receiving trough a apted to receive the shell and pass it into the rst groove. However, since the receiving trough must be capable of passing airs of grooves in the rolls, it must be hot transyer-sely and verticallymovable. It is thereions also necessar to provide a shelf adapted to receive the s ells from the thrust bearing when the receiving trough is out of ahnement with the'thrust bearing.

The apparatus which we provide for receiving the shells from the thrust bearing and rollers may be move and feeding them into the rolls is indicated I of guide and fed rollers 108 with their journals 106- and 135. The roller at the thrust bearing end of the frame is completely divided into sections 133 and 134. All of the rollers 108 and section 134 are positively driven through miter gears 113 drlven from a shaft 112 carried at one side of one of the beams. This shaft 112 is rotated through gearing by a motor 115, also carried by the frame.

Extending from the side of the beams 101 opposite the motor 115, are a plurality of horizontal structural bars 104, on the outer ends of which is carried a beam 103. Extending transversely between beam 103 and the side of the trough frame are a plurality of relatively long rollers 141 and 142. These rollers are adapted to be driven by miter gears 138 on the projecting ends 135' of their shafts, which gears mesh with driving gears 138' on shafts 137 and 143 at different ends Shafts 137 and 143 are car- .ried at the side of beam 103 by journals 136-,

of the frame.

and are driven from a motor 140 throughgears 139 which mesh with spur gears 139 on a lower shaft v153 (see Fig. 8).

Shaft 153 carries a gear 139" adapted to mesh with the driving pinion 139" of the. motor.

Secured between the beams 103 and the feed trough frame is a cylinder 155 having a piston rod 148, the outer end of which rod is connected with a cross head 145 having diagonal angle bars 147 attached thereto and slidable on guides 144. Connecting the ends of bars147 is a pusher bar 146 having the block 146' thereon slidable in guides 144.

Upon application of pressure to the c linder,

this pusher bar may be reciprocate transverse y of the frame, thus providin means whereby shells delivered u on the si 'e frame v over to the feed trough. Atthe end of the frame opposite the thrust bearing is a stop 152 to prevent the shells from being carried. too far on the receiving rack.

I For receiving the shell and lowering it gradually onto the rolls 108, there is preferably provided a vertical cylinder 109 in the middle of .the'trough frame secured to a suspended frame 109'. In the cylinder is a plunger 109" having a head 109" which is -shaped to'carry lates 110 which project beyond the sides o the head sufliciently far to rest on supporting members 110' when in lowered posltion.

Underneath and between the beams 101 and carried thereby, is a cylinder 128 with a piston rod 129 connected to a cross head 130 made to slide between beams 101, which beams act as a guide therefor. On the top of the cross head 130 is hinged a curved lever 131 with weight 132 on its lower end. This lever is so arranged that a shell riding forward will rock it downwardly out of the path of travel, but the lever cannot move in the other direction past a vertical position. Thus, by operating the cylinder 128 to move rod 129, the lever 131 may be used to engage the ends of the shells to push them along the trough into the rolls.

Beneath each end of the trough frame.

' beams 101 are transversely extending guideways 127 having inclined guide surfaces 127 (see Fig. 18). The beams 101 rest on shoes 116 adapted to slide on these inclined ways. Extending across the plates 127 and supported in journals 119 are threaded rods 118, the projecting ends of which are provided with Worm gears 1.21. Slidably supported in vertical guideways on the under side of shoes 116 are nuts 117 which engage threaded rods 118. Upon rotation of the rods 118, the trough beam may thereby be reciprocated transversely, and at the same time it is reciprocated, it will move vertically owing to the inclination of the guides 127. The nut 117 is vertically slidable to accommodate for the-raising and lowering of the shoes. The shafts 118 are rotated through Worm gears 121 engaging worms 122 on a shaft 123 suitably journalled on supports 125 and having a spur gear 124 thereon which engages the driving pinion of I a reversible motor 126. The beam 103 is guided upon ways 150.

9 center of the thrust bearing while the others are necessarily at one side and higher than they thrust bearing.

In operation, supposing a tube is to be passed through the first groove, the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 7. The shell, coming from the plug bar 61 through the thrust bearing, rocks the lever 131 out of 1 its path and moves along on the feed rolls into the drawing rolls. For starting it into the drawing rolls, the lever 131 may be actuated to engage the end of the shell and push it. If, however, a tube of smaller diameter is to be formed, the feed trough is moved transversely by motor 126 opposite that pair of grooves corresponding to the diameter of tube to be .drawn. Thistransverse movement raises the feed trough a sufficient distance to bring the feed trough on the same horizontal level as the groove. The shell, passing through the thrust bearing, then goes upon the roller table at the side of the feed trough. Pusher 146 may then be actuated to move the shell transversely into the trough, afterwhich it may be passed through the roll D.

Passing from the first pair of rolls, the shell must pass over a second ball or plug and plug bar and be received on a second receiving trough. This receiving trough, which we call the intermediate trough, and plug bar is indicated at E. It is shown in Figs. 9, 10, 10', and 35 to 45 inclusive.

The frame of the intermediate troughpreferably comprises parallel I-beams 220" bolted together and spaced with separators 220 in a manner well understood. These beams are supported on shoes 275 slidable on inclined guideways 273, and are operatively moved by screws 274, the construction and operation being identical with that previously described in connection with the feed trough C. In this instance, however, there is no roller table, and hence the guides 150 are dispensed with.

On the beams 220 are bearings 221 in which revolve shafts 222 for rollers 223. The shafts 222 are extended at one side to carry miter gears 224. On the sides of one of the beams 220 are brackets 268 providing bearings for a longitudinal line shaft 269, which shaft carries miter gears 224 to mesh with gears 224 for driving the rollers 223. The shaft 269 is driven through reduction gearing 271 by a motor 270 carried by the table frame. On top of beams 220 are also mounted several stands 225 which provide supports for flat bars 226 forming the lower part of the guide troughs. Above these strips are covers 272.

On top of beams 220" and located about the mid le, is the tube edger, shown in cross section in Fig. 10, and details of which are shown in Figs. 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42 and 45. This device is for the purpose of giving the tube a quarter turn before it is passed through the next roll. It comprises a stand 227 having a circular opening concentric to a plug bar indicated at 204. Seated on one end of stand 227 is a rotatable ring 228 and through the stand beneath the ring are slots 227 through which project jaws 229 and 230. Connected to jaw 230 is a lever 232 pivoted on the ring at 233. The other end of this lever is connected through links 231 and arm 234 with jaw 229 in such manner that downward movement of jaw 229 forces jaw 230 upwardly, so that both of them may grip the tube. Bolted to the support 227 is a bracket 239 having on its upper horizontal surface a trip-bar 238 w 10h PIOJBCtS to one side. Pivoted at 237 yes,

on a bracket 235 secured to ring 228 is a hand lever 236 having a helical cam 236' (see Fig. 36) and a stop lug 236" adapted to contact with trip-bar 238. The helical cam 236 engages in a notch on the projecting upper end of jaw 229.

In operation, the handle 236 is rotated, forcing jaws 229 and 230 into gripping relation with the tube and the ring 228 is rotated by pressure applied'on handle 236 in the desired direction throughout the limit allowed by slots 227', which is preferably a quarter of a circle. This transmits a corresponding rotation to the tube. After having been turned 90 degrees, the jaws are released and the ring 228 turned back again to normal position.

During the rolling operation, a plug or ball 203 carried by a bar 204 is maintained between the rolls, as shown in Fig. 50, but in order to change the ball after each rolling operation, it is necessary to withdraw it. For this purpose, we provide a sliding clamp on the extreme end of the base, shown in Fi s. 9,10, 10, 38 and 40. Secured to the I- eams 201, is a flat plate. 240' to the sides of which are bolted inverted L-shaped guide members 242. Slidable on this base 240 and in the guide members isa movable frame 241 having a rack 245 secured to the bottom thereof, the bottom being indicated at 250'. This rack projects into a slot 267 in the base 240. J ournalled in the I-beams at 261 is a transverse shaft 260 having a gear 259 thereon adapted to engage the rack 245. The outer projecting end of this shaft is provided with another pinion 262 adapted to enga e rack 263 on the end of a piston rod 264, w ich rod is actuated by a suitable fluid pressure cylinder. The end of the rod is guided on a roller 266 on a bracket 265 (see Fig. 10). By reciprocating the piston rod 264 a corresponding movement may be imparted to the sliding frame 241.

The movable frame 241 is built up of a web plate 250" extending across the width of plate 240 and has vertical sides 268'.

The vertical sides 268' provide supports for vertically movable clamping jaws 253 and 254. To the sides 268, are bolted cheek plates 255 to retain the clamping jaws 253 and 254 in position.

Supported on the frame 251 is a fluid pressure cylinder 252 having a depending .rod 258 from which is suspended the upper each other. It will be noted that in this instance the plug bar is held against rotation inasmuch as no rotary movement is imparted to the tube while passing through the roll D.

For insuring the holding of the plug bar and plug in proper position during the rolling operation, we provide a vertical support 240" at the end of plate 240, this vertical support being provided with a hood. J our nalled at the sides of the vertical support 240 at 243 are levers 244, each of which has one of their ends pivotally connected to links 250, which links in turn are pivoted to the webs 250 on the sliding frame 241. Journalled at the back of the support 240 in brackets 246 is a rock shaft 245' having a depending operating lever 248 and upwardly extending cranks 248, which cranks are provided with pins 246 to engage the free ends of levers 244 to oscillate them. lVhen 'the links and levers are in the position shown 204 is transmitted to the movable frame 241,

but this frame is held against rearward movement by the links and levers above described. By rocking shaft 245 and applying pressure to piston rod 264, the sliding frame 241 may be moved rearwardly.

The plug bar 204 is recessed to telescope over the projecting end of the next succeeding plug bar (.see Fig. 10) so that in effect a continuous plug bar may be provided. For renewing and changing the balls or plugs 203 on the plug bar 204, there is provided a plug manipulator adjacent the rolls D, and also adjacent each-of the other pairs of rolls. This plug manipulating apparatus is shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 43. To the housing shoe 267 of the rolls'D are connected the supports 209 which carry one end of rock shafts 210. Between the bottom housings 202 of the roll is the support 208 having upwardly projecting lugs which provide bear ings for the opposite ends of shafts 210. On the two shafts 210 are sliding cranks 207 having relatively long hubs 207. The outer ends of these cranks 207 are pivotally connected to links 206, the upper end of which links are pivotally connected to an extending plug trough 205. At the ends of the long sliding hubs or sleeves 207 are annular grooves to accommodatea cross head 213, the construction being such that while the cross head may be moved to reciprocate the sleeves 207 in unison along the shafts 210, it will not interfere with the rotation of the sleeves. At the middle of cross head 213 are lugs 213 which connect to link 214 by means of pin 213". The other end of link 214 is pivotally connected to a lever 215 on arock are mounted arms or cranks 211 pivotally connected at their lower ends by an operating rod 219.

The rod 219 is preferably operated by a fluid pressure cylinder, not shown.v By this,

'vanced until the plug is engaged thereby,

whereupon, the trough 205 is lowered.

Afte'r the entire length of the tube has been received by the bar 204, theclamping jaws 253 and 254 are spread, and the tube is passed along to the next pair of rolls F (which rolls are similar to rolls D), the plug bar being continuous by reason of the telescoping ends. From the rolls F, it is received by the table G, which in all respects is similar to After passing through as many such operations as desired, the tube finally emerges from the last pair H also similar to the others, onto the run-out table I.

The run-out table I is constructed generally in the same way as table E or G, on parallel beams 301, and is transversely movable in the same way on inclined guides 373 by screws 374. In the table I, however, the clamping mechanism for the plug bar is not used and the edging or tube turning device is also eliminated. Journalled in bearings 333 are troughed rollers 316. These are driven through motor 328, gears 329, shaft 327, and miter gears 320' and 325,- journals for shaft 327 being provided at 326. I

In the table I, the plug bar 332 is secured at 340 to a cross head 319 (see Figs. 11, 12, 12', 46, 47, 48 and 49) having a depending portion 323, which portion has a laterally extending arm connected to a piston rod 336 of a pressure cylinder 317, the length of which cylinder and rod is substantially co-extensive with the length of the table I. At the side-of the cross bar and pivoted at 331 are links 312 having their free ends provided with downwardly extending projections, as shown in Figs. 12 and 12. These projections are adapted to ride over.the inclined surface of the portion 324 of the frame member 324 when the cross head is being moved to retracted position. They engage abrupt faces on the portions 324 when a tendency is exerted to move them in the opposite direction. For disengaging these arms from theportion 324 when it is desired to move the cross head rearwardly, a shaft 330 journalled at 321 and having arms 322 is provided. When the shaft 330 is rocked (as by manual means) the arms 22 lift the pivoted links sufficiently high for the projections thereon to clear the portion 324. Q

In operation, the cross head is held in its 'forwardmost position during the time a ball on the bar 332 is being engaged by a tube. The links 312 then act to prevent rearward movement of the cross head 319. When the entire length of the tube has been received upon the bar 332, and it is desired to discharge the completed tube, the links 312" are lifted in the manner hereinbefore described, and the cross head is moved rearwardly by operation of the cylinder 317, until the plug bar has been entirely withdrawn from the tube.

At 303 are semi-circular hoods or covers having arms thereon which are tightly secured to a longitudinal shaft 308 journalled along one side of the run-out table, in bearings 304 on frame members 304. Pivotally supported in brackets 313 on the table frame is a fluid pressure jack 312 having a piston rod 339 which is connected to a crank 337 on the shaft 308 (see Fig. 48). By operation of this cylinder, all of the hoods 303 maybe rocked upwardly to permit the tube to be removed.

For the purpose of ejecting the tubes after the plug bar has been withdrawn therefrom, we provide a series of arms or kickers 314 secured at 315 to a second longitudinal rock shaft 309 carried in journals 304 on the frame members 304. Pivotally mounted in brackets 311 on the table frame is a cylinder 310 having a piston 319 which connects to an arm 314 rigidly secured to shaft 309 (see Fig. 47). By operating cylinder 310, the kickers 314 may be lifted to raise the tube which has heretofore rested on the guid lates 341. Upon the kickers 314* being raised sufficiently, the tube will roll down them onto the inclined skids 340, and be delivered to the sawing or other apparatus, not shown.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that we have invented a practical system for the continuous rolling of tubes of various sizes without repassing the tubes through any of the rolls. With our apparatus, the pierced ingots or shells may be passed through the mill, one after another, as fast as they are delivered from the piercing mill. Thus, the tubes are formed before the metal has had a chance to cool, thereby reducing the liability of fracturing the tubes, as is often the case where the shell is cold before it is completely rolled into a tube by successive passes through the same rolls. Furthermore, a continuous plug bar is providedafter the first rolling by means of, the telescoping connections, so that the'tube is kept. from being bent while worked. By refer= ence to Fig. 50. which shows any one of the plugs or balls between the rolls with the shell X passing between the rolls, it will be seen that the plug does not expand the tube, but merely maintains the proper dlameter, and insures a proper finish for the interior of the tube, while the rolls red 1(11ce the thickness of metal from the outs1 e.

While we have described a complete apparatus, we do not limit ourselves, to the detail construction of such apparatus, as obviously various modifications and changes might be made in the embodiment of our 1nvention which we have described.

What we claim is: v

1. A rolling mill for the production of tubes comprismg a series of rolls arranged in tandem, means for positively feeding the metal shell into the first roll, and means between the rolls for receiving the shell from the preceding roll and positively feeding it into the next'roll. I

2. A rolling mill for the production of tubes from metal shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem, said rolls being provided with various sizes of grooves for the production of tubes of different diameters,- means for feeding the tube into any desired groove in the first pair of rolls, and means between each pair of rolls for receiving the shell from any groove in the preceding roll and feeding it into the corresponding groove of the following roll.

3. A rolling mill for the production of tubes from metal shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem, means for positively feeding the metal shell into the first roll, means between the rolls for receiving the shell from ,the preceding roll and directing and positively feeding it into the following one, a plug bar on said receiving means having a plug extending into operative relation with the preceding roll, and means for manipulating the plug bar for permitting the tube to pass over the plug end thereof and to be fed from the opposite end thereof.

4. A rolling mill for the production of tubes from metal shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem, means for feeding the metal shell into the first roll, and a continuous plugbar formed'of telescoping sections extending from receiving position adjacent the first roll to recelving position adjacent the last one, means between each two rolls for normally holding the bar against longitudinal movement, said 7 sections having plugs therein for cooperation with the rolls.

5. A rolling mill for the production of tubes from metal shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem, means for feeding the metal shell into the first. roll,

and a continuous plug bar formed of telescoping sections extending from receiving position adjacent the first roll to receiving position adjacent the last one, said sections having a sliding connection with each other and having removable plugs therein for cooperation with the rolls.

6. A rolling mill for the production of seamless tubes from pierced shells comprising a receiving table for receiving the shells from a piercing mill, a plug bar on said receiving table, a thrust bearing for supporting one end of the plug bar, a clamp for engaging the ball end of the plug bar when the thrust bearing is inoperative, a feed trough for receiving the shell from the receiving table, a series'of rolls arranged in tandem, means between the rolls for receiving the shell from the preceding roll and feeding it to the following one, and a run-out table for receiving the tube from the last roll of the series.

7. A rolling mill for the production of seamless tubes from pierced shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem,

said rolls being provided with grooves of graduated sizes therein for the production of tubes of different diameters, a receiving table for' receiving the shells from a piercing mill, a feed table between the receiving table and the first roll of the series, and normally in alinement with the receiving table, means for moving the feed table transversely to the rolls and receiving table to selectively feed the shell into any desired groove in said rolls, means on said feed table for receiving shells when the feed table is moved transversely out of alinement with the receiving table, means between the rolls for receiving the shell from any groove in the preceding roll and feeding it into the corresponding groove of the following one and 'a run-out table after the last roll of the series.

8. A rolling mill for the production of seamless tubes from pierced shells comprising a series of rolls arranged in tandem, said rolls being provided with grooves of graduated sizes therein for the production of tubes of different diameters, a receiving table for receiving the shells from a piercing mill, a feed table between the receiving table and the first roll of' the series, and normally in alinement with the receiving table, means for moving the feed table transversely to the rolls and receiving table to selectively feed the shell into any desired groove in said rolls, means on said feed table for receiving shells when the feed table is moved transversely out of alinement with the receiving table, transversely movable means between the rolls for receiving the shell from any groove of the preceding roll and feeding it into the cor- 

